Think Tank for Inclusion & Equity (TTIE) is proud to release our 5th “Behind the Scenes: The State of Inclusion & Equity in TV Writing” Report in partnership with Horowitz Research.
Courtesy: TTIE and Horowitz Research.
Think Tank for Inclusion & Equity (TTIE) has released their 5th “Behind the Scenes: The State of Inclusion & Equity in TV Writing” Report in partnership with Horowitz Research.
This year’s report combines market and consumer insights with the testimonies of almost 700 professional TV writers to connect two critical data points: what do audiences want, and what’s stopping writers from delivering it.
Concerning audience desires, the study finds that audiences want expansive, authentic storytelling, with results showing that 65% of consumers say they “love it” when they see content that gives them a glimpse of […] cultures that are not their own, while 59% “love it” when they see diverse, multicultural people and themes.
Presenting these narratives is important for networks and streamers as the study indicates that 48% of Americans agree that they would “be less likely to consume content from a media company that pulled away from diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.”
Echoing these findings, Adriana Waterston, EVP, Insights and Strategy at Horowitz Research, notes: “Our research has continually underscored strong demand for authentic, resonant storytelling that reflects the polycultural, intersectional essence of the United States and the diversity of American identities. Without a rich array of diverse storytellers, it is not possible for media companies to truly meet this demand. In a competitive environment in which streaming services, YouTube, and social media are giving traditional media companies and studios a run for their money, prioritizing the development of diverse storytellers should be considered a business imperative.”
TTIE Co-Founder and Co-Chair Y. Shireen Razack observes, “This year’s Behind the Scenes data reveals a critical disconnect: audiences want authentic, diverse stories, but systemic barriers prevent the writers who can deliver them from advancing in their careers. The industry’s profitability challenges and its inclusion challenges are interconnected. Ad sales drive profits. Viewership drives ad sales. Expansive storytelling drives viewership. The TV industry’s historically excluded writers are uniquely situated to provide this content. The roadmap to a healthier bottom line is clear.”
However, in researching the employment of the storytellers who create these narratives, with particular focus on those from historically excluded communities, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, Disabled, and women writers, the study reveals that there are systemic obstacles that prevent these writers from advancing in their careers.
The factors found that contribute to this include widespread discrimination with about half (45%) of all survey respondents report having experienced microaggressions, harassment, discrimination, or bullying at work at least occasionally. 39% of those asked said these incidents were perpetrated by their showrunners, and 47% said the perpetrator was another writer.
Also, hindering writers are payment disparities in development, with a remarkable disparity in terms of who gets paid for development and who doesn’t: 42% of historically excluded writers reported mostly unpaid development by studios versus only 19% of non-marginalized writers.
And, there are gaps for underrepresented writers as they work to ascend to the role of showrunner with only 49% of historically excluded writers in development saying that if their project were greenlit, they would be made showrunner, compared to 79% of non-marginalized writers in development.
Some suggestions for improving practices within the creative industry are offered in the report, while the report contains this statement as well: “We at TTIE believe in our industry’s ability to adapt and grow and, in the coming months, will release recommendations and resources for several segments of the industry (including reps, executives, showrunners, writers, and unions) to help drive the change we all seek.”
TTIE is an intersectional group of professional TV writers comprising BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, Disabled, and women writers, from emerging voices to showrunners. TTIE is committed to fostering accurate and authentic storytelling in the entertainment industry, as well as improving working conditions for all TV writers, especially those from historically excluded communities. Visit us at writeinclusion.org.
Horowitz Research, a division of M/A/R/C® Research, is a leading provider of market and consumer insights with an expertise in media and multicultural consumers. They have been conducting Hispanic and multicultural research for over 30 years. In addition to a series of annual syndicated studies on the media, telecommunications, and technology industries, Horowitz offers a full suite of quantitative and qualitative research services.
In a press release about the report, TTIE stated that, “Like all surveys, the 2025 BTS Report offers a snapshot in time — one showing traditional media losing audiences and revenue to platforms where authentic voices thrive. But this snapshot also reveals an opportunity: investing in historically excluded writers and their stories will win back viewers, attract advertisers, and increase company profits.”
To read the report in full, visit www.writeinclusion.org/research.
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